The X-Factor Player in Every Pac-12 Bowl Game

The X factor is the game-changer. He is a football player that may be flying under the radar or maybe he just isn't utilized that much—but when he's on the field, his impact is widely felt.

The Pac-12 has some marquee players, and they'll be watched closely in the upcoming bowls. But which Pac-12 players will be the X factor players?

We've gone through the Pac-12 bowls (Arizona has already played in the New Mexico Bowl, so it won't be included) and projected which Pac-12 players have that X factor quality that could make a difference in the game.

Las Vegas Bowl: Washington vs Boise State

Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesKeith Price

The Washington Huskies are a fairly balanced team, but you get the feeling that all of their players haven't completely played up to their potential for all four quarters—especially in the first quarters. One player who fits that bill is quarterback Keith Price.

In last year's Alamo Bowl, Price threw for 438 yards and four touchdowns as well as rushed five times for 39 yards and three touchdowns. What happened to that guy?

Maybe we'll have another Alamo Bowl-like performance by Price.

How Washington fares depends mostly on its defense, but Price throwing touchdown passes against a Boise State defense that's only given up three passing touchdowns all year could be a special treat.

Holiday Bowl: UCLA vs Baylor

While the Bruins play well on both sides of the ball, there's this nagging feeling that their defense might get overwhelmed by Baylor's prolific offense.

UCLA has given up 43 points to Arizona State, 36 points to Washington State and 35 points to Stanford (as well as 27 points to Stanford in the ensuing Pac-12 Championship). So is UCLA going to be in another shootout?

Not if running back Johnathan "the Mayor" Franklin can run wild and keep both the clock moving and Baylor quarterback Nick Florence on the sidelines. Baylor's rush defense, for what it's worth, is ranked No. 8 in the Big 12 (out of 10 teams).

Sun Bowl: USC vs Georgia Tech

USC has received a lot of props for its defense despite its star-studded roster, but against Georgia Tech's option, someone is going to have to step up and contain the Yellow Jackets.

Defensive end Morgan Breslin is just the player to put an exclamation point to his already outstanding season. Breslin is the league's third-leading tackler for losses and second in the league for sacks.

Breslin plays on the outside, so he will be responsible for forcing quarterback Tevin Washington to pitch the ball to the running back bellying out or tackling Washington before he pitches the ball.

The hard part is knowing when to go after Washington and when to just stay in front of Washington and Co. and pinch off the outside edge—it's all about patience and timing.

Breslin will be in the spotlight because if Georgia Tech's option is humming along, whatever decision Breslin made will have been wrong.